Skip to Content

Do Cocker Spaniels Shed a Lot?

Cocker Spaniel laying on a grey couch

Although cockers do shed, it usually isn’t as visible as it is with big, heavy shedders. Cocker Spaniels are moderate shedders and are usually easy to handle with good grooming. Keep reading to know why Cocker Spaniels shed and learn how you can manage the shedding for them.

Do Rottweilers Shed A Lot? Is there something you can do to manage it? Click here to learn more.

Why Cocker Spaniels Shed?

The following are some reasons that can cause excessive shedding in Cocker Spaniels.

Seasonal Shedding

Cocker spaniels have double coats and will blow their undercoats twice a year. These protracted periods of profuse shedding occur in the spring and fall. Your dog’s hormones change in response to an increase or reduction in daylight, which causes more shedding.

Dogs shed in the spring to prepare for the scorching summer months (their summer coats keep them cool, despite looking warm). To allow for the growth of thicker fur for winter comfort, they shed in the fall. The majority of Cocker Spaniels that spend a lot of time outside tend to shed heavily.

Poor Diet

Cocker spaniel laying on a tile floor next to a full food dish

A bad diet may cause your Cocker Spaniel to lose his coat. The health of your dog will deteriorate if the food isn’t as nutritious as it might be. A dull coat, a dry nose, and hair loss are the first signs of a bad diet. Puppies require a different diet than adult Cockers, therefore you must purchase puppy food rather than adult dog food.

Do Great Danes Shed A Lot? Click here to learn more.

How to Manage Shedding for Cocker Spaniels?

Some simple methods to reduce the shedding of your Cocker Spaniel are as follows.

Regular Brushing

person pulling shedded dog hair from a dog brush while a cocker spaniel looks on

Managing to shed requires frequent, light brushing (for all breeds). That has a significant impact. Every other day, try to give your cocker spaniel 10-15 minutes (3-4 times a week). You may even raise this for American cocker spaniels to once every day.

The undercoat should be brushed for ten minutes in the beginning. Slicker brush for the final five minutes. Your floors will have less hair on them on the very first day.

Fish Oil Supplements

Fish oil capsules spilling from a bottle

Omega 3 is a fatty acid that helps to maintain the skin and coat of your cocker spaniel robust and healthy. While most dog food producers do include some omega-3, it’s frequently insufficient. The kibble you are using makes a difference since some are inherently heavy in fat (those that use salmon as the major protein source). You may pretty simply add omega-3 supplements to your spaniel’s diet.

Do Cane Corsos Shed a Lot? Click here to find out.

Avoid Over Bathing

Cocker spaniel in the bath

It is ideal to wash Cocker spaniels once every 6 to 8 weeks. Continue if your cocker spaniel appears to be clean and odor-free after eight weeks. The coat’s natural oils will be removed if you over-bathe, and that will have ripple effects. The hair will become dry and brittle and it will increase the shedding dramatically.

Use only natural ingredients in dog shampoo and make sure to get the frequency properly. Removing excess oils will keep their skin and coat clean and moisturized.

Increase Water Intake

Close up of a dog drinking from a water bowl

Dehydration can cause dry skin, which in turn causes fragile, brittle hair that is easily lost. That may significantly affect the quantity of dead hair your dog sheds each day. Replace the water in their bowl with fresh water and add some food. Start doing all you can to encourage your cocker spaniel to drink more right away.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases